“We were extremely pleased to hear so many of those who attended share our enthusiasm for the project and are keen to see these plans become reality.

“They were also coming forward with some interesting ideas which we will look at working into the development.”

He added: “The next step for us is to prepare a hybrid planning application to submit to the council early in the New Year for the first phase of work centring around the Pavilion Theatre, new events space and Travelodge hotel.”

Meanwhile, residents took to Facebook to have their say on the project.

Sara Harris said: “Millions were spent not too many years ago on the Drift Park, but it seems that is being built over. My other concern is where is the money coming from to fund this project?